Thyroid nodule?

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Brilliant_Rock

I'm worried. 6 months ago a dentist gave me a head and neck exam and said my thyroid was enlarged, wrote a letter to my doctor and suggested an ultrasound. The doc ran some blood tests (tsh?) which came back normal but to be on the safe side ordered the ultrasound, which I had yesterday. The tech wouldn't talk to me about the results but when I was leaving said that she has a thyroid nodule too and that they just need to be watched. I guess that may mean I have a thyroid nodule. The docs office called today and want to see me on Monday (they are closed tomorrow).

So I have 4 lovely days to wait and wonder what the hell this all means. Does anyone have experience or knowledge about this kind of thing. Of course I've googled and been both reassured and frightened. I guess I'm hoping that some of you can give me some advice and reassurance until I find out what I'm dealing with on Monday...

Ideal_Rock

5 years ago my doctor found a few nodules that after biopsy did prove cancerous. My thyroid was removed completely and I received a round of radioactive iodine treatment. Aside from having to take a tiny pill each day, my life is normal. I guess what I'm saying is even worst case scenario is not that bad. I think there are a few on the board that have had the same procedure.

I do hope for your sake that it's benign, but if it's not, we'll get you through it.

Brilliant_Rock

Thanks for replying tonight sonnyjane, and thanks also for sharing. It helps to know the worst case scenario is not as bad as I was afraid it would be. My mind has gone to the dark side since the scan, when she obviously found something.
Sigh...

Brilliant_Rock

Hi Begonia. Please try not to worry too much. Thyroid nodules are quite common, and most tend to be found incidentally while having tests done for a different reason. Mine were discovered while having an ultrasound after my stroke five years ago. I have four and two are quite large, 2cm+. I also got the call from my doctor's office to come in. He told me what was found and that he was referring me to a specialist for follow-up. One questionable large one was biopsied and was negative for cancer. I have yearly ultrasounds to measure any changes in density and growth. The specialists explained that thyroid cancers are very slow growing, so monitoring yearly for changes is very safe. I've seen two ENT specialists and they are both very reluctant to remove thyroids either fully or partially due to large or small benign nodules unless they are causing physical discomfort. The good news is the vast majority of nodules are benign. My yearly appointment is later today, so I'm also hoping for good news again. Hope this helps.

Brilliant_Rock

5 years ago my doctor found a few nodules that after biopsy did prove cancerous. My thyroid was removed completely and I received a round of radioactive iodine treatment. Aside from having to take a tiny pill each day, my life is normal. I guess what I'm saying is even worst case scenario is not that bad. I think there are a few on the board that have had the same procedure.

I do hope for your sake that it's benign, but if it's not, we'll get you through it.

Brilliant_Rock

Your feedback is helping me tremendously. I'm not even sure if it is a nodule, but the tech suggested it by saying "I have a nodule too" (meaning her). I have no new symptoms. A new dentist (that was abrasive and rude) gave me a head and neck exam. He palpated my thyroid so aggressively I felt sick and it hurt. Perhaps I will be thanking him though, who knows? Otherwise no physical signs and symptoms.

The 4 day wait is hard but your stories and reassurance are extremely comforting!

Brilliant_Rock

Several years ago I had a somewhat large growth on my thyroid and had half of my thyroid removed. The growth, which I had ignored for a while could be seen just looking at me. Results were benign, but I have to take a pill every morning. Had to spend 3 days in the hospital and had a three week ban on driving. But everything went really well and had no adverse reactions. Try not to worry.

Brilliant_Rock

Shiny_Rock

You might had gotten your scans but just wanted to add that I also had a nodule looking thing on my thyroid a few years back on a ultrasound that was slightly older at a private endocrinologist . Went to a new hospital with much better equipment and found out it was just a cyst and that they were normal. Try not to worry until you can figure out more or do something.

Brilliant_Rock

Thanks Begonia. The scan went well. The technician told me it would take 3 to 4 days for my doctor to receive the report. The technicians aren't allowed to tell you anything so I'll just have to be patient.

Brilliant_Rock

My mom has a thyroid nodule. It was causing her all sorts of crazy symptoms and that's how they discovered it. She did a year of some type of medication and actually does not need to be on it now because it's back to normal somehow. They just keep an eye on it. Try not to worry! These things are usually benign from my understanding.

Brilliant_Rock

I go back and forth keeping things in perspective and then getting worried again. Stupid brain is going to the dark side.
All the reading I've done suggests that a biopsy is the best way if I do have a nodule(s). My understanding is you can't rule malignancy out with scans alone. Just trying to fully understand things before Mondays appt.

I don't know what's considered "large". I just looked at my paperwork. I had multiple small nodules and one big one that was 2.3 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm (could be seen by looking at me although I never noticed it.)

For what it's worth, my biopsy results came back very quickly - they called the next day.

Since my surgery 5 years ago, they've actually changed the way they look at some types of thyroid cancer. It's very possible that if I would have been diagnosed today and not then, they would have left it in and just monitored as opposed to doing surgery since most forms of thyroid cancer are extremely low risk, especially since I had no symptoms. We'll never know though...

Ideal_Rock

Did your doctor give you any indication of how long before you'd hear with the biopsy results? Man, I feel for you. It's like everything is on pause when you're waiting for health news. Sending lots of dust for benign results and a short wait!!

Ideal_Rock

My sister had her thyroid removed a few years ago. The way she discovered it was pretty crazy. Her FIL is a surgeon and had been out of the country for Doctors Without Borders for nearly a year. When he returned they went to a celebratory dinner. During dinner he noticed a bulge in her neck and told her to get it looked at immediately. Within two weeks she had an ultrasound, biopsy and the entire thyroid removed. Aside from taking synthetic thyroid hormones she's perfectly healthy. Her scar is barely noticeable. It took her longer than average to regain her voice but that ultimately worked out.

Brilliant_Rock

I hope you don't have to wait too long for the biopsy. It's a very straight forward procedure and doesn't take long. I thought the same things you're thinking when I first found out about my nodules as well. It can make you feel very anxious. I wish you all the best!

Brilliant_Rock

This was found by accident. It's not visible at all and no new symptoms. You see, I'm menopausal and get hot and cold flashes and have always had a hard time sleeping. Weight fluctuates +- 5 pounds. So I normally have most of the symptoms of hypo hyper and always have. Just be glad that dentist found it I guess.

I'm so grateful for the support. I'd go out of my mind without it. I don't have much family and my friends have their own lives.

Brilliant_Rock

It's been 10 days since the doc told me of the nodule and still no word from them on a biopsy date, so I called yesterday. She hasn't gotten back to me so I'll call again today and keep calling. It weighs heavily on my mind and I just want to know one way or the other.

I have so much more empathy for people waiting for tests and results now! This wait is driving me crazy.

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